GENERAL JOHN W. "JAY" RAYMOND

U.S. Space Command is one of 11 unified commands under the Department of Defense and is responsible for deterring conflict, defending U.S. and allied freedom of action in the space area of operations, delivering combat-relevant space capability to the joint/combined force, and developing joint warfighters to advance U.S. and allied interests in, through and from the space domain. As the Space Combatant Commander, Gen. Raymond directs assigned and attached joint space forces providing tailored, responsive, theater and global space effects in support of national objectives.

Air Force Space Command comprises approximately 26,000 space professionals worldwide and is responsible for providing resilient, defendable and affordable space capabilities for the Air Force, joint force and the nation. As Commander, AFSPC, Gen. Raymond leads the organizing, training, equipping and maintaining mission-ready space forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Space Command and other combatant commands around the world.

Gen. Raymond was commissioned through the ROTC program at Clemson University in 1984. He has commanded the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron at RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom, the 30th Operations Group at Vandenberg AFB, California, the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, Colorado, the 14th Air Force, and Joint Force Space Component Command. He deployed to Southwest Asia as Director of Space Forces in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The general's staff assignments include Headquarters AFSPC, USSTRATCOM, the Air Staff and the Office of Secretary of Defense.

Prior to assuming command of AFSPC and U.S. Space Command, General Raymond was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2003-June 2005, Transformation Strategist, Office of Force Transformation, Office of Secretary of Defense, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
2. July 2012-January 2014, Director of Plans and Policy (J5), U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb., as a major general
3. December 2017–August 2019, Commander, Joint Force Space Component Command, Peterson AFB, Colo., as a general

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
French Order of Merit